No. 5: Jan. 9, 2010 — Jets step up after Rex’s claim
Rex Ryan was already becoming a legend for his bravado and that continued after the Jets made the playoffs. Despite being the No. 6 seed in the AFC, and the likes of the 12-4 Colts and 14-2 Saints involved, Ryan proclaimed the Jets to be the best team in the AFC.
“But to me we should be favorites. I mean in the whole tournament. I think we have the best defense; I know we do. I think we have the best rushing attack. I want this football team. If I had a choice to coach any team in this tournament, I would choose this one,” Ryan said.
The Jets would back up the coach’s confidence early with a 24-14 wild-card win over the Bengals.
Anthony J. Causi/New York Post
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No. 4 Jan. 8, 2005 — Assist from Kaeding
After backing into the playoffs, it looked like the Jets would not get out of the wild-card round.
But rookie Chargers kicker Nate Kaeding missed a 40-yard field goal in overtime and the Jets drove down the field and Doug Brien kicked a 28-yarder to lead Gang Green to an upset. More on Brien in the lowlights section.
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No. 3: Jan. 8, 2011 — Taking down Peyton
The Jets were back in the playoffs again after the 2010 season, but with higher expectations.
The problem was that the playoffs had to start against Peyton Manning in Indianapolis. But the Jets rallied from three separate deficits — the final one coming when an Antonio Cromartie kick return set the Jets up in prime field position allowing Mark Sanchez to drive them into position for a Nick Folk 32-yard field that won the game 17-16 for the Jets as time expired.
Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post
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No. 2: Jan. 17, 2010 — Greene finishes shocker
The Jets were back in San Diego for a playoff game four years later, and this time were even bigger underdogs.
But Rex Ryan’s team continued to surprise with a stunning upset of a San Diego team that went 13-3 in the regular season. The Jets scored two fourth quarter touchdowns, the second of which came on a 53-yard run by Shonn Greene, to finish the 17-7 win.
UPI
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No. 1: Jan. 25, 2010 — Seems like so long ago
This game was undoubtedly the high point so far in the Rex Ryan/Mark Sanchez era.
When Ryan came to New York a season before he had vowed not to kiss Bill Belichick’s rings, and for one day the Jets were the best team in the AFC East. The Jets physical defense harassed Tom Brady and the Patriots offense much of the day and Sanchez threw touchdowns to Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards in the 28-14 victory.
“Maybe everybody else never believed, but we believed,” Ryan said. “We’re moving on. Same old Jets, back to the AFC championship. The only difference is this time we plan on winning.”
They didn’t, and it’s been a quick path downhill since. On to the lowlights …
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No. 5: Jan. 25, 2010 — It can wait now
Moments after the Jets beat the Patriots, LB Bart Scott was being interviewed by ESPN reporter Sal Paolantonio, who wrapped up by the conversation by saying, “See you in Pittsburgh.”
Scott emphatically replied, “Can’t wait.”
And what was a funny line turned into a punch line about the team that has struggled so much since that game.
ESPN Screen Grab
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No. 4: Jan. 7, 2007 — Mangini’s lone playoff game
Eric Mangini took on his former boss Bill Belichick and the Patriots after a surprising 2006 season that saw the Jets go 10-6. The Jets battled their rivals and were driving the ball down 20-13 when a Chad Pennington backwards pass was batted and recovered by Vince Wilfork. New England would kick a field goal and roll from there.
Charles Wenzelberg
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No.3: Jan. 24, 2010 — Cinderella run ends
The underdog Jets built a 17-6 first half lead on the strength of two touchdown passes from Mark Sanchez, including an 80-yarder to Braylon Edwards.
But the Colts scored a touchdown before halftime and dominated the second half on their way to a 30-17 victory and a spot in Super Bowl XLIV.
AP
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No. 2: Jan. 15, 2005 — Kicked in the gut (twice)
The Jets were a kick away from advancing to the AFC Championship game, but Doug Brien hit the post from 47 yards with 1:58 left and then from 42 yards as time expired.
Jeff Reed would kick the game-winner in overtime, painfully ending the Jets season.
“I just feel bad for the team. I’ll be fine,” Brien said afterward. “I just feel bad for the guys that played so well, played so hard and came up short.”
Brien’s NFL career was not “fine.” He was released by the Jets, signed by the Bears and went 1-for-4 field goals before being cut and never playing in the league again.
New York Post
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No. 1: Jan. 23, 2011 — Super Bawl
This gets the top spot because it was the team’s best chance to win a championship.
They had already beaten the Steelers in Pittsburgh once that year and were coming off a win over the AFC favorite Patriots. What happened? The Jets were a no-show in the first half, getting blitzed by the Steelers and falling into a 24-0 deficit highlighted by this Ike Taylor hit on Mark Sanchez that William Gay recovered and ran back for a toudhdown.
The Jets’ furious second half rally came up short in the 24-19 defeat.
REUTERS
